Villa Philmonte

Villa Philmonte Courtyard

The Villa Philmonte was the summer home of Waite and Genevieve Phillips. It was constructed in the Spanish Mediterranean style from 1926 to 1927 and it is 28,400 square feet in size. The Villa Philmonte is a house museum today. Tour guides tell the story of the Phillips family, their Philmont Ranch, and the gifting of that ranch in two parcels to the Boy Scouts of America, 1938 and 1941. Please call the Philmont Museum for tour information – 575-376-1136.

Waite Phillips was born on a farm in southwestern Iowa on January 19, 1883. He was born with an identical twin whose name was Wiate. Note that the “a” and the “i” in the two names were transposed – very confusing! The boys were extremely adventuresome. When they turned 16 in 1899 they left the farm and set out to see the West. They traveled thousands of miles and took jobs whenever they needed money. They worked at timber camps, railroad camps, a shingle factory, hotels, and even Western Union as messengers... Read More

After 2 years of restoration, the Villa player piano now plays for all tours.

The Villa Philmonte is open for guided tours spring summer and fall. Please call the Philmont Museum (575) 376-1136 for dates and times.

About Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America's premier High Adventure™ base, challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country.